SelfLevel SUSP.INACT warning appears...why?

[PUREVIL]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Try disconnecting the neg and positive in the trunk. I've heard people also touching the wires together, and leaving them like that for 30 min. (That's actually the instructions for Audi / VW) I did this on my car the other day, when I was having problems with the GT1. That reset everything. Which was a pain in the ass as I had to reprogram all the crap that's in the car. Bluetooth, radio, seat memory, time, all mpg reset, I mean everything.

I tried your suggestion today. I first left the battery disconnected for an hour. When I hooked it back up there was no change at all except the 4x4 light came on and stayed on. I then disconnected the battery cables and zip-tied the pos/neg ends together so I wouldn't have to stand there for a half hour. I got busy and didn't get back to the project for almost 2 hours. I hooked the battery back up and still no change. In fact, all of my memory functions were still saved. The seat knew what to do, the radio presets were still there, etc. The only things I had to do were set the clock and calendar. The 4x4 light was on again and the trip meter was at zero but other than that it didn't seem to change anything.
*the 4x4 light went out as soon as I started driving*

[Ricky Bobby]

Have you actually scanned the car to see what code it is throwing? Mine had two leaking front struts, got them replaced, car stays at perfect level. However, I'm throwing a code for the compressor (it doesnt have enough power to fill the bags up) so my switch won't raise or lower the car. Now i'm going to be replacing the compressor, and you need a GT1 to properly reset the self level suspension system

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by PUREVIL

I tried your suggestion today. I first left the battery disconnected for an hour. When I hooked it back up there was no change at all except the 4x4 light came on and stayed on. I then disconnected the battery cables and zip-tied the pos/neg ends together so I wouldn't have to stand there for a half hour. I got busy and didn't get back to the project for almost 2 hours. I hooked the battery back up and still no change. In fact, all of my memory functions were still saved. The seat knew what to do, the radio presets were still there, etc. The only things I had to do were set the clock and calendar. The 4x4 light was on again and the trip meter was at zero but other than that it didn't seem to change anything.
*the 4x4 light went out as soon as I started driving*

Damn that is strange. Mine reset absolutely everything.

Yea I think you will have to get someone to scan your car and clear that code .

Ok one more thing you can try. Pull the fuses for the suspension. I doubt it will work at this point though. I have a feeling the error is written to the computers and stored. Might be worth a shot though.

The 4x4 thing will go away as soon as you start driving. Was on my car too.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Damn that is strange. Mine reset absolutely everything.

Yea I think you will have to get someone to scan your car and clear that code .

Ok one more thing you can try. Pull the fuses for the suspension. I doubt it will work at this point though. I have a feeling the error is written to the computers and stored. Might be worth a shot though.

The 4x4 thing will go away as soon as you start driving. Was on my car too.

Trust me it is stored! The air suspension faults must be reset by dealer or someone with GT1! I was pulling fuses and disconnecting the battery and it just stays there!

[Brad-E53]

I gave up on my faulty suspension, I went ahead and ordered coils from a coil sprung x5 of similar year off ebay and swapped my rear leaky bags for the coils, plus some custom perches.. It has worked great since. She does sit a little lower than stock and the susp inactive light stays on but for about 80 bucks i dont have to worry about coming out to a tail dragger in the parking lot. just some food for thought hope it helps

[PUREVIL]

I bit the bullet and purchased the 1.4.0 scan tool for BMW. Now I finally have something to go on but still don't know what to try next.

I currently have the "selflevel air susp inact" light on.
My code reader is showing codes for the reservoir sensor, reservoir valve, & supply sensor.
These codes were not present and the air suspension was working fine prior to replacing the airline to the right front air-strut (had a slow leak at the bag fitting).
The air suspension inactive light popped on for the first time as soon as I opened the driver's door after the repair.

The air suspension is now dropping quickly after parking the car and airs right back up when I open the driver's door. I can hear the compressor running, the bags inflate and off I go. I have noticed that if I start the engine before letting the bags inflate all the way that the compressor stops and the ride is rough (front end bangs) over the first couple of bumps and then the compressor kicks back in and smooths out the ride.

The airbags are new(er) Arnotts. Soapy water shows no leakage at the bags or fittings. Both sides are now dropping equally as if the exhausting on purpose.

Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? This is driving me nuts!

[SlickGT1]

Where is the reservoir valve? Can you check that? Seems like all is working when the compressor is running, but something is leaking for sure. You need to get this done soon, or you will burn the compressor.

"Can't put in real oem link"

It seems part 1, the valve unit might be leaking. Are you sure you tested those connections well? Also the pressure ACCUMULATOR might be leaking, which is why both your fronts drop. If they were fine before, as in only one side dropped, I have a feeling the connections are not good.

What's the procedure on replacing these parts. Do you need to use teflon tape or something on the connections. I have my share of compressor (garage compressor) upgrades and rebuilds that I always use the tape.

Once you turn off the car, can't you get under it and start spraying soap water on the connections and whatever else. I figure at that pressure you should be able to find the leak.

[SlickGT1]

RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 4.4i LEVELLING DEVICE/PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR

[PUREVIL]

Just a quick update... I'm still fighting this issue.

Last night, I replaced the right front leveling sensor, the reservoir pressure sensor, and the rod that hooks from the lower arm to the leveling sensor.

I reset the control unit with the 1.4.0 scanner and the system started working. The air compressor came on right away and the whole car leveled out at the correct height.
As soon as the compressor stopped, the front end of the car started dropping and then the compressor kicked back in. The car raised up again and dropped again. This continued until I shut the X off and then it dropped all the way down.

I pulled codes and now have:
22 (034) Reservoir Pressure Sensor
23 (035) Supply Reservoir Pressure Sensor
17 (023) Supply Reservoir Exhaust Valve
09 (009) Reservoir Valve

I think what is happening is the valve under the passenger door (Part# 37246779713) is leaking/exhausting the air pressure for the front end.

I plan to take the bottom covers off again tonight and check with soapy water. I ran short on time last night.

[PUREVIL]

***Update***
I pulled the bottom cover off from under the passenger side again tonight and soaped up every inch of the air system from front to back. I shot soapy water up on the front and rear bags and every fitting. I took the trunk apart again and soaped up the lines and fittings there too. STILL NO LEAK FOUND...

I was continually running back to my laptop to air up the system and then checking the dripping lines while the car dropped.

Now we get to the part that I'm almost embarrassed to admit...

I had left the trunk lid and driver's door open long enough to wear down the battery. So I popped the hood to put the charger on. With the hood up and the laptop connected, the air system inflated yet again and there it was. The faintest hiss coming from the passenger side strut tower. I shot some of my spray solution at it and sure enough, bubbles...
I pulled the large black cap off and applied more solution, big bubbles.

Now is when I discover that the 14mm nut in the center is nearly ready to fall off due to the F@#*ING idiot that improperly installed it.

The dealership I bought the car from had the strut replaced just before I picked it up. Apparently they damaged about half of the threads on the nut and didn't have another one to install. So rather than getting another one, they ran it down until it stopped which was about 4 threads in.

Now, I know the bag is BRAND NEW as of 3 months ago. Does anyone have hope that a new nut and tightening this thing down will allow it to reseal??? There is noplace open this time of night to get an odd metric nut so I'm on hold until morning...